The University of Alaska Southeast takes seriously our communication with students, employees, alumni and community.
We work hard to be positive, supportive and transparent in our interactions with others. It was a surprise to see a recent letter to the editor expressing concern about UAS communications with alumni and the broader community.
As UAS chancellor, I called the writer right away to hear her concern. It appears that due to a misdirected email she did not receive timely notification of changes affecting alumni use of our Egan Library. I’m sorry for the confusion and hope that the matter can been addressed successfully.
But the writer is correct that our library services for alumni are not the same as they were 10 years ago. They’ve changed because budget cuts have reduced UAS staffing and required us to scrutinize all of our business operations. We’re not happy about those reductions but they are part of our reality. What hasn’t changed at UAS is our focus on student success, positive community engagement and appreciation for alumni and friends. I hope you’ll consider joining UAS Alumni and Friends (www.uas.alaska.edu/alumni). Our students need your support now more than ever.
Chancellor Rick Caulfield
Juneau